Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Natural Monuments

Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area

Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

Natural Monuments

Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area

Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

Name: Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 1 hikers

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for: {{link, react}}

Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness

Save

Location: Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area, Eddy County, New Mexico, United States

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hiking Routes to Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

hikers

1. Permian Reef Trail — Guadalupe Mountains National Park

15.2km

06:12

710m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

Tips

Jamie S.

May 19, 2023

This steep section of the Permian Reef Trail takes you up to the top of Wilderness Ridge through an ancient, fossilized reef known as the Capitan Reef. The trail was designed to showcase preserved Permian age geologic and fossil features in the park; you can download a NPS guide to the marked fossils along this trail ( npshistory.com/brochures/gumo/permian-reef-trail.pdf ). As you ascend this challenging, but fun, section of trail you get increasingly great views of the large imposing cliff-sides that comprise the bulk of the ancient reef and down into McKittrick Canyon. As you climb, you will pass by some amazing geologic features like a free-standing natural rock pillar, numerous fossils, the striking rounded rock rim of the Wilderness Ridge, and sweeping views across the park.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Distance 2.42 km

Uphill 370 m

Downhill 150 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 25 November

15°C

3°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area, Eddy County, New Mexico, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

The Notch

Guadalupe Peak

Hunter Peak

Smith Spring

Pine Springs Trailhead

Devil's Hall

Carlsbad Caverns

The Bowl

Bear Canyon Trail

Deer Hill

Guadalupe Peak Trail Junction

Pine Springs Visitor Center

Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

1. Permian Reef Trail — Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️